[This song was sung] when Pharaoh's horse came into the sea, along with his chariot corps and cavalry, and God made the sea come back on them. The Israelites had walked on dry land in the midst of the sea.

He said, 'If you obey God your Lord and do what is upright in His eyes, carefully heeding all His commandments and keeping all His decrees, then I will not strike you with any of the sicknesses that I brought on Egypt. I am God who heals you.'

This song was sung... Many authorities maintain that this verse is not part of the song (Ramban; Abudarham, p. 63; cf. Zohar 3:168a). Others, however, maintain that it is an integral part of the song (Midrash HaGadol; Ibn Ezra). It would then be translated, 'For Pharaoh's horse came....' (cf. Saadia; Rashi; Gittin 90a s.v. Ki).

drumTof in Hebrew; see Genesis 31:27. The word is thought to denote a small flat hand drum. See Kanim 3:6.

dancing (Targum; Septuagint). Others say that the mechol mentioned here is a musical instrument (Mekhilta; Pirkey Rabbi Eliezer 42; Radak ad loc. 42:68). This is described as somewhat larger than a tof and played with sticks (Saadia Gaon). Others maintain that it is a percussion instrument somewhat like a tambourine.

Sing to God... See Exodus 15:1. Some say that they sang the entire song (Saadia; Chizzkuni), and that they sang it along with the men (Philo, De Vida Musa; cf. Mekhilta).

Shur Desert See Genesis 16:7, 20:1, 25:18 (cf. Targum; Targum Yonathan). Josephus identifies this with the Pelusian Desert (Antiquities 6:7:3). Saadia, on the other hand identifies it with Jifur, an old name for Es Sur, south-west of the desert of Et-tih (Etham?) near Egypt. A number of sources identify Shur with Etham mentioned above (Exodus 13:20; see Numbers 33:8; Ibn Ezra; Bachya).

Along the eastern shore of the Gulf of Suez, there is a strip of level land. The northern part of this is known as Shur, extending toward the Mediterranean, while the southern part is the Sin Desert (Exodus 16:1). Local traditions identify the first stop with Ayun Musa (the Springs of Moses), on the east side of the Gulf, 9 miles south of Suez and 1.5 miles from the coast.

Marah See Numbers 33:8. This is usually identified with Bir Huwara or Eyn Chawara, some 60 miles south of Suez, and 47 miles south of Ayun Musa, 7 miles from the coast. Others identify Marah with Ain Naba (also known as el-Churkudeh), a fountain with a large flow of brackish water, some 10 miles south-east of Suez.

tree Or a piece of wood (Josephus 2:3:2). It is said to be a fig, pomegranate, or oleander (Mekhilta; MeAm Lo'ez). Josephus writes that they also purged the well by pouring out large amounts of water from it.

Elim See Numbers 33:9. Possibly, 'Place of Terebinths.' This is usually identified with Wadi Gharandel, the next oasis on this route, some 10 miles south of Marah. In medieval times, there was a city in this area known as Ailom (Mas'aoth Rabbi Binyamin 24). Some say that this was a very good resting place (Mekhilta), while according to others, the trees and wells were insufficient for the huge number of people (Josephus 3:1:3).

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